What to expect as hospitals, clinics resume full services in Dubai
ELECTIVE SURGERIES, DENTAL PROCEDURES NOW PERMITTED
With the restoration of most services in the health care facilities in Dubai, patients will now be able to undergo elective surgeries, which can prevent the condition from turning into emergency.
Health care facilities in Dubai — hospitals, clinics and day care centres — have welcomed the restoration of most services in line with the UAE government’s decision for the gradual resumption of economic activities from May 27.
Sharing the new protocols in place, they told Gulf News that they are required to maintain the highest standards of hygiene and will be subject to inspections with stringent action being taken for non-compliance.
Elective surgeries
Dr Jamil Ahmad, Managing Director, Prime Healthcare Group, said: “The resumption of health care services is not only an economic booster but a great relief to the community. It will help revive the health care sector and also help us stem the tide of patients in need of surgeries. Not all surgeries are emergencies, but elective surgeries when done in the nick of time have a preventive purpose to avert any condition from turning into an emergency.”
Michael Davis, CEO of NMC Healthcare, said: “Opening up surgery will be welcomed by anxious patients, who waited
Opening up surgery will be welcomed by anxious patients, who waited weeks for procedures that were important.”
Michael Davis | CEO of NMC Healthcare
weeks for procedures that were important. Hernia repair, cancer operations, knee replacements, IVF treatment and even a staged cosmetic surgery are among the wide range of elective surgeries that come with varying degrees of complexity and urgency.”
ENT and dental services
These services have been resumed with the caveat to avoid aerosol generating procedures, such as air water syringe and ultrasonic scalers, whenever possible. All health professionals who are in direct contact with patients are mandated to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including N95 masks; and if is not available, a combination of surgical mask and full-face shield.
However, dental and ENT services for confirmed or suspected Covid-19 cases have to be postponed until recovery. If it’s an emergency, then such a procedure must be carried out in a negative pressure room in a hospital.
High-risk patients
Health care workers have been advised to maintain extreme caution when dealing with patients, who are considered high risk of contracting Covid-19. These include patients who are above the age of 60 years, regardless of their medical condition. Caution has to be exercised in dealing with patients, regardless of their age if they suffer from chronic respiratory, heart, kidney or liver disease, besides diabetics, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised.
Appointment system
All health care facilities have been asked to adhere to a strict appointment system to avoid overcrowding of patients in the waiting area.
A distance of two metres must be maintained between patients in waiting rooms. Visitors must undergo thermal temperature checks before entering the facility and must mandatorily wear face masks at all times.